22 Jul How to Recognize the Signs of Dental Pain in Cats
Did you know that more than two-thirds of cats over three years of age have some degree of dental disease? In fact, dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen by veterinarians. In this post, we will cover what to look for if you suspect dental issues. We also discuss some of the most common dental problems seen in cats, and explain why it’s so important for them to get dental checkups every year.
What Are the Signs of Dental Pain in Cats?
Cats are notorious for hiding any signs of pain. Even though they’ve been domesticated for a long time, their intrinsic nature still leads them to mask any signs of pain or vulnerability. This does not make it easy for cat owners to detect when there might be a dental problem.
In fact, most cats with dental disease show no abnormal symptoms. You might think that dental pain would make them stop eating, but typically, their appetite is not affected. Dental problems may account for the “finicky appetites” that some cats display. However, complete loss of appetite is usually due to other medical conditions that are not related to the mouth.
While it may be difficult to notice any true signs of dental pain, sometimes cats provide clues that might indicate dental disease. Some signs of dental pain include:
- Drooling
- Decreased appetite
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Bad breath
But what causes these symptoms? Some of the most common dental issues seen in cats are periodontal disease, tooth resorption lesions, and a condition called gingivostomatitis. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Three Common Dental Diseases in Cats
1: Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is the term used when inflammation and damage occur to the tissues around the tooth. It can affect the gums, the bony socket where the tooth sits in the jawbone, and the connective tissues that hold the tooth in place (periodontal ligaments).
The most common cause of periodontal disease in cats is the accumulation of plaque and calculus (tartar). As plaque accumulates on the surface of the tooth, it becomes mineralized over time and forms calculus. The buildup of calculus triggers an immune response that produces foul-smelling chemicals, which is often the cause of bad breath in cats.
Part of this immune response is also responsible for inflammation of the gums. This causes gingivitis, the earliest stage of periodontal disease. If detected and early enough, gingivitis can be treated with professional anesthetized dental scaling and polishing. Followed up with home dental care, the teeth and gums can be kept reasonably healthy.
However, if gingivitis goes untreated, then it will progress to the irreversible stages of periodontal disease. The bone and ligaments that support the tooth are slowly destroyed by the bacteria in calculus and by enzymes from the body’s immune response. This leads to deep pockets in the gum tissue, followed by loose teeth and eventually, tooth loss.
2: Tooth Resorption Lesions
Tooth resorption lesions result from a progressive destruction of the enamel and dentin layers of the tooth, which causes slowly deepening “holes” in the affected teeth. These lesions typically start at the root of a tooth, so the signs of tooth resorption can only be detected by dental imaging (x-rays).
When the lesions reach the part of the tooth that you can see (the crown), they expose the sensitive part of the tooth deep to the surface. Once the sensitive part of the tooth is exposed, the lesions are intensely painful. The exact cause of this condition is still unknown, and the only effective treatment is a tooth extraction.
3: Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis is similar to periodontal disease, but is much more severe. With gingivostomatitis, cats not only develop inflammation around the teeth, but also in the throat, cheeks, and possibly the lips and/or tongue. This condition is one of the more painful conditions that can develop in the oral cavity.
In some patients, it can be difficult to tell if the oral problems are related to periodontal disease, tooth resorption lesions, or gingivostomatitis. In fact, all three of these conditions can be present at the same time—ouch! The most effective treatment for this condition is the extraction of most—if not all—of the teeth.
Believe it or not, most cats (roughly 60%-80%) with this condition do very well and live normal lives, even when they have had most or all of their teeth removed. In fact, without the pain of gingivostomatitis, they usually thrive. And yes, they can still eat with no teeth! Very often they still prefer hard kibble over canned food—they simply swallow the kernels whole.
The exact cause of gingivostomatitis is still not fully understood, but is likely due to multiple factors which can vary from patient to patient. There are some cases that are more difficult to treat, even after extraction, and an even smaller number of cases that do not respond to any treatment for gingivostomatitis.
What can I do to keep my cat’s mouth as healthy as possible?
Dental home care for cats is very beneficial to keep the plaque and calculus buildup at bay. (See our Guide to Tooth Brushing for Pets.) Unfortunately, though, home dental care does not prevent tooth resorption lesions and is ineffective at controlling or preventing severe conditions like gingivostomatitis.
You can also feed your cat special food that is formulated to help reduce tartar accumulation. We recommend “Hills Prescription Diet t/d.”
The most effective thing you can do as a kitty parent is to make sure to take your feline friend to your veterinarian for yearly exams. Their checkups should include a thorough oral exam and yearly anesthetized dental cleanings with full-mouth x-rays.
First-Class Dental Care for Cats in Las Vegas
Because it’s so difficult to tell when a cat is in pain, regular veterinary checkups are very important. At Animal Dental Specialists of Nevada, our goal is to provide the highest quality of specialty dental care. If you believe that your feline friend is experiencing oral pain or discomfort, please call us to schedule a consultation. We want to make sure your cat’s smile remains as purr-fect as possible!
Photo by Kim Davies on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons License for Commercial Use 7/22/24.